Living only for Christ

Text: Philippians 1.21

Obviously, the life we live as Christians should ordinarily be for Christ and him alone. This is the only way, we can derive satisfaction. Nothing else on earth gives fulfilment and satisfaction than to live for Christ. This is a clarion call to all believers to strive to glorify God and make an impact in life.

There were people who lived and died without making any significant impact on the earth. For instance, Methuselah was only mentioned passively in the scriptures with reference to his age. No exploit was credited to his name. He never affected any life all through his long years on earth. Moses, at his early stage in life, wandered about without a clear picture of his purpose in life until God commissioned him to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Egyptians, a great assignment he fulfilled with doggedness. Otherwise, history would not have written his name in marble. Demas had the opportunity to live for Christ but chose to go his own way. Today, he has a bitter story to tell in hell.

Paul, the Apostle, stood out among equals in his time; he lived a purposeful life. He used his life to advance the kingdom of God on earth. Nothing else dominated his thoughts than preaching the gospel and making the name of Christ famous. The reason was that he heeded the call of God for higher service. His profession as a lawyer wouldn’t have made him popular as he is today as a minister of the gospel and a defender of the faith. History will always remember the exploits of Paul, the Apostle in propagating God’s word on earth.

As believers, our lives should be for Christ. A wise Christian can never live to please himself while on earth. This is because his life is a gift from God and it is given for a purpose. On the last day, he will be required to give an account of how he used his life on earth. A selfish man, who lived only for himself, will not have any track record on earth and in heaven. History and eternity will not remember him. The irony of selfish people is that they consider those who invest their lives in the advancement of the kingdom of God as foolish people. Unfortunately, they are quick to forget that they are only pursuing shadows that cannot produce any result.

Jesus wants us to see the futility of life without him. The rich man described in the book of Luke did not have Jesus in his programme while on earth, rather, he was busy accumulating wealth for himself but ended up in regret for all eternity. This man became the poorest of all times. In fact, from Christ’s estimation, he was the poorest man that ever lived on earth. The rich man couldn’t afford an ordinary glass of water in hell. He resorted to begging for just a drop of water but was not given!

This is a solemn call to everyone to make the right decision for himself. Whatever God has given you in life should be used to serve him. The talents and gifts of God are meant to be used to glorify him. A man that lives for himself will cut short his life. The Lord will see such an individual as unprofitable to earth and heaven.

This is the time to rise and decide for the Lord. Live only for God, engage in evangelism and bring souls to His kingdom.

• For Further reading: Exo. 2:1-10; 1:22; 3:1-10; Phil. 1:21; Isaiah 43:21; 2 Tim. 4:10; Prov. 16:25; Luke 16:19-31; Luke 12:13-21; Prov. 29:15; Jer. 10:23-24; Rom. 9:16; Phil. 1:21; Isaiah 43: 21. You can fellowship with us @ Kingdom Power International Christian Praying Centre, 65, Oluwatedo Road, Cele Road, Isashi, Ojo, Lagos State. For details of our programme, visit us @www.kpicpc.org. You can also follow us live on Facebook @kpicpc & YouTube @ kpicpc.